Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-09-23
A NOBLE VICTORY.
FROM THE GERMAN BY L.v. srUR.

North Sea. A sharp wind from the north
sweeps over the surface, driving the
waves high before it. On their crests
rises and sinks the white foam. How
the water surges forward, rs if it would
rush far into the land. But again and
again 1t retreats from the white sand,
only to return in haste the next morning.
On the shore lies stretched out the vii
lage of Husom. Every little house stands
by itself, often separated from its neigh
Dor by wide space of perhaps fifty feet,
which is generally made into a garden,
In which few feeble plants draw a
scanty nourishment from the ground.
With no less difficulty do the inhabitants
OF Husom manage to get their living.
They are all fishermen, and the sea is
their real home, on which they go out for
miles to cast their nets. When the sun
shines on smooth surface it is an ex-
hilarating occupation, but when sud-
den storm springs up while the boats arc
far from land and fog settles down upon
the water like a broad, heavy mantle,
then one understands how hard are the
conditions, and the perpetual danger at
tending the labor by which these men
earn their bread.
The sea runs high ard most of the
boats have pulled in to land. Two men
are still working to save their property
in the same way. They are both Young,
large, vigorous men, with sunburned
faces and toil-hardened hands.
At last their beat, too rests on the
shore firmly secured. Lars" said one
OF the men, straighten 'ng up and but
toning his short jacket, "this will be a
fierce bow, tonight"
The other nodded. 'It Is lucky that
uone of us are out"
Meanwhile they have started home
ward, and stride along together in
silence. The only street Of the village is
quiet. tits d rk, here and there faint
light CLEAN ng from little window.
They are passing small house, and,
almost IS if by secret agreement, they
approach and G anCe through the lighted
window to the inside. An old man with
white hair and belrd sits in large arm
chair; his head has fallen forward on his
breast-a picture of the life fast sinking
to rest. At the table, on the opposite
side, sits, in bright contrast, young
girl, sewing-a fresh, lovely face, with
round, rosy checks, and luxuriant, fail
hair. Katie Mason is the prettiest girl in
the village, and the most Industrious, On
whom many young fellow looks with
earnest glance. Early and late she is
busy, supporting herself and her aged
father by her own hands.
The loiterers at the window have
turned and gone on their way. At last
Lars said; Good night, Cristoph," and
crossed street to his home He had heard
the reply to his greeting, and now waited
and listened, standing by the fence that
lnclosed his little tract of ground. Girls.
toph had not gone on, but had turned
back-for what9 Lars felt misgiving
He, too, fastened back. The wind drives
full in his face, but he does not heed it.
Now he hears Cristoph's steps before
him, but cannot see, for it is very dark.
There stands the little house where Katie
Mason lives Cristoph stands by the win
dow. Lars sees him plainly in the light
of the lamp that falls upon him. He
hears tap on the window, and now
Cristoph has his hand on the door, and il
opens before him.
Thou, Cr;stoph3 What brings thee SC
late" asked Katie, holding on to the
door, which the storm was shaking.
Il was passing and saw thee sitting, 81
I stopped to bid thee sleep WE'LL"
"Thou dear!" she said, putting out he
hand.
The wind seized the door thus set free
and flung it wide open against the wall
But Cristoph, using his strength, drew
the girl into the hall and closed til,
door. Lars grew hot under his coars
jacket; hot in spite of the blusterin.
wind. He stepped close to the door ant
heard speaking within, but could no
distinguish anything. He waited, hi
heart filled with the pangs of jealousy
How long he stood he knew not; j
seemed an eternity to him. At last tn
door opened and Cristoph stepped out
"Sleep well, dear girl, he whispered
"Good-by, dear Cristoph." The Ike
was turned in the lock. Cristoph wen
home, the joy of love requited in hi
heart. The other, too, turned home
ward but long time passed before h
reached the little house.
They had grown up together-LarS
Cristoph and Katie The three ha
played together continually as children
and Katie would be carried by no Other
or drawn on the sled by none but Lars {
Cristoph. When they grew larger the
went to school together, and were cor
tirmed together in the little church of tt
neighboring village No strife had eve
come between, never had the girl show
whether she preferred one of the lads {
the other. AS these developed I'M
strong men, Katie bloomed into sti
greater beauty, as was appare;
to other young men of the vi
lage, and Rob Steffel had venture
to intimate as much, in roue
fashion, to the girl. The following d.
his place in the boat was empty; he WI
sick, his father said-the truth was, Re
would not show his discolored fac
From that time the young fellows bel
themselves aloof from Katie Mason. b.
between Lars and Cristoph the old int
macy began to gradually diminish. Thu
went with Katie TO her first dance. WI
should be her first partner2 They di
puted long over it, out of the girl
hearing, and at last, with heated face
appealed to her to choose between Their
Katie looked at them, and for the fir
time felt misgiying that If she choo
one the other would be deeply hurt.
she said: sit makes no difference
me which dance with first but if 1t
of so much account to you draw cuts
They did so. and Cristoph was the lucl
one. While they were settling the matt
Katie looked on with apparent j
difference, but her heart beat fast und
her bodice, and when it was decided 81
almost unconsciously smiled with eV
dent pleasure. Lars saw it, and fro
that day jealousy began to take ro